History heritage and Siwhela

By Harasi

We are Sri Lankans. We have a need and have also a right to know who and what we actually are? In schools and in the Universities in the old days, and during Dhamma sermons by Sangha in temples, we were emphaticallytaught that our History started some 2500 years ago by Vijaya (543 -505 BCE), and after his arrival he established, all the three aspects: our society, culture and government in the country. An Indian cave mural at Ajantha in Maharashtra,(Cave 17): (2^nd Century BCE), shows arrival of Vijaya to Sri Lanka, that depicts how colonization took place henceforth.

A Buddhist monk- Mahanama who lived in Mahavihara of Anuradhapura Sri Lanka, was believed to be the author of Mahawansa (Great Heritage= Great Chronicle), that gives a detailed continuous account of History, colonization, society, culture, government, Buddhism, ancestry of Kings, starting from arrival of Vijaya up to time of Kingdom of Kandy. This appears to have made us believe that, not only here but in entire Asia, arrival of Vijaya as the all-pervading opinion on colonization of Sri Lanka. Based on a sculpture of Rawana discovered in India, and folk-lore of Sri Lanka itself, and historical evidence collected over time that, there exists another very strongly established perception or discernment on colonization if Sri Lanka- Legendof Rawana.

Professor Raj Somadewa: Archaeologist, Researcher, Historian, istoria TeachertTeacher, made a very interesting professional presentation to “EtheraApi” Organization-Qatar Branch, in December 2018 on “New discoveries about History of Sri Lanka”, that any interested party can access in Internet (YOUTUBE). He does not reject any of the above view-points, but emphasizes that what we need is to build our History on a scientific basis and, in order to achieve this goal one needs to find incontrovertible answers to three cardinal questions. They are:

1. The problem of first colonization
2. Continuity of Human existence, and
3. Bridging the Written History and the Unwritten.

1. When did Sri Lanka colonize actually? It looks obscure. Without knowing that, it is impossible to understand who we are. Whose blood circulates in our body? Who is the owner of our genes? By intellect, by competencies and by ingenuity we Sri Lan
2. kans are magnificent, as amply proved scientifically. We need to develop a clear understanding about ourselves, our beginning, in order to have an idea of our identity which is essential to create the courage to develop this country. We were not properly taught about it, and hence our society has become grossly undisciplined. We were given to believe as a viewpoint that we are incapable of accomplishing anything, and only with acquired outside-help are that we would be able to achieve anything and everything.
3. Did our country actually colonize? How did it continue henceforth? What do we need History for? Some elements question.  There is a misconception amongst us to the extent where some individuals ridicule: “Is History for devouring?” We exist with our History. All our characters have been constructed in the History. No one can exist estranged from History. Sri Lanka society evolved as a result of actions, reactions that occurred in History. Therefore, nobody can argue that History is unnecessary.
4. We have learned so far, the written History of Sri Lanka, which is explained in great literature texts: Mahawansaya, Deepawansaya. We were taught about the lineage of Sri Lankan royalty; Viz., Rajawaliya. The written History known to us is some 2560 odd years old. But the Unwritten History is fifty times older. We would like to make an attempt to bridge the written and unwritten History, thatwould be substantiated by scientific evidence. Knowledge based on Archaeology on one hand and Evolutionary Biology on the other, have been extensively employed in this process. Today Archaeology has been developed to Genetic Mitochondrial DNA Technology level and moving beyond.

Scientific records on emergence of Homo sapiens sapiens on Earth are, available only from Africa and nowhere else. A scientific map entitled “Putative Migration waves out of Africa and locations of some of the most relevant ancient human remains and archaeological sites” shows how Homo sapiens sapiens left Africa some 150,000 or so years ago migrated and spread into various areas throughout the world. One group arrived in Asia, and via Indonesia migrated to Australia.  Another group went to Europe, and a third group went across Steppes grasslands to Russia. The migration paths elucidated by arrows discussed in the above map have been clarified by human remains un-earthed from Archaeological excavations done at various locations/ sites (caves inclusive) in different countries covered by these migration paths. This map treasured as a modern Genetic Map, has been created using data obtained from the study of excavated human remains, their scientific dating, study of genes of the human remains and the conclusions arrived by comparative analysis of data obtained from different Archaeological sites excavated along the migration paths. This map depicts the story of colonization of whole world by the modern man. The process commenced 150,000 years ago. Origin of human race on Earth, dates back to some 3 Million years, from the African Chimpanzee, and everyone unanimously agrees thatthe African Chimpanzee was the ancestor of Homo sapiens sapiens.

Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in humans, first appeared in Africa, and African chimpanzee is the only animal known to have had contracted the disease before humans. Mammalian herbivores, includingAfrican chimpanzees, that eat raw green leaves, possess an organ: Appendix, in their digestive system. It’s function is digestion of Cellulose (cell wall material of higher plants) by the mediation of a bacterium (Cellulomonas sp.). Humans too possess this Appendix which has become a vestigial “appendage”almost defunct now, enlarges as a consequence of infection causing severe abdominal pain requiring removal by surgery. It’s removal does not affect human food digestion in any way as it has become obsolete due to uselessness over time, all through evolution. Modern humans possess a brain capacity of 1450 c.c., same as that of Homo sapiens sapiens that left Africa 150,000 years ago.

Examination of a Genetic Mitochondrial DNA Migration Map prepared by technology referred to above, provides scientific evidence on how Homo sapiens sapiens that left Africa 150,000 years ago, migrated to Sri Lanka via   India, and thereafter (across Indonesia) to Australiacarrying his Mitochondrial DNA genes. Colonization of Sri Lanka and other countries is an inter-connected Global Process that can be verified from undeniable, verified scientific evidence.

The mean sea level of the Indian Ocean had fluctuated several times during the last 2.5 million years. Geological Stratigraphy of soil layers that demonstrate the fluctuation of Sri Lankan sea level from time to time, show the presence of and belonging to each time period, the remnants of life-forms and various implements used by humans that inhabited those areas. The present day shoreline at any coast demarcates the highest point the sea ascended at the last fluctuation. It is revealed that the sea level had gone up to a maximum of 28 Metres at one time, and the Udawalawe forest would have been completely inundated at that time. A sand stone stratum discovered in the Udawalawe forest interior, below the surface, provides evidence for this judgement. Quaternary Geological Deposits in Sri Lanka provides significant evidence to determine earliest dates of the presence of humans in the country. Examination of soil profile of sand dunes found in the seashore of Ussangodain Hambanthota district, by Geological Stratigraphy, revealed artifacts such as man-made stone implements which have been dated 125,000 years old.

At one time the sea level receded very much, below the present day level, together with a sharp drop of atmospheric temperature. This led to exposure of submerged land and the Palk Straitremained opened for some period of time before being submerged again. It is during this time that a Homo sapiens sapiens first landed in Sri Lanka. He was a human being having the same brain capacity of 1450 c.c. similar to a modern man. This event took place 125,000 years ago and the time has been verified by Radiometric Dating. Since the migration of first Homo sapiens sapiensto Sri Lanka 125,000 years ago they continued to inhabit the country and colonization continued unbroken as verified by archaeological evidence.  It is the gene of this man that was carried forward in continuity up to the present day. There is no evidence to verify that blood of human society in Sri Lanka possess the gene composition of Vijaya, who was supposed to have arrived here some 2600 years ago. Sri Lanka remained attached to India for a very long period of time and got detached permanently from Indian soil quite recently, some 7000 years ago. Certain fish species found in Sri Lankan streams and waterways are also found in waterways in Kerala, India. Since becoming an island, during evolution and continuity, our people were subjected to mingling with other human clans that arrived here from elsewhere for various reasons at several stages of our History. Yet our main backbone and stem is the gene ofHomo sapiens sapiens that migrated into Sri Lanka from Africa, 125,000 years ago.

There are no lions living in Sri Lanka by today, but still live in India. A canine tooth recovered from a gem pit in Kuruwita, in the Sabaragamuwa District, has been identified to be belonging to the lower mandible of an indigenous lion, Pantheraleosinhaleyus. Similarly, an artifact also recovered from Kuruwitahas been identified as a pre-molartooth,to be belonging to an indigenous elephant Elephas maximus sinhaleyus, which is an ancestor of present day Asian elephant. Both these animals are extinct now. This shows that the environment and animals that lived here a long time ago were quite different from what we see at present.

From a famous geological site called Minihagalkanda, situated close to sea shore, at Yala Sanctuary Block 2, in Southern Sri Lanka, an array of stone implements (quartz) that are man-made, have been recovered. They exist even today on top soil. It is here there exist, evidence in proof of first landing of Homo sapiens sapiens in Sri Lanka.

Althougharrival of Homo sapiens sapiens in Sri Lanka first, is dated to be 125,000 years ago, it has not been quite possible to find their skeletons, due to the fact that being a tropical country the high soil temperature and moisture have resulted in bringing about their decay and disintegration. Remnants of human skeletons have been unearthed from Sri Lankan soil time and again, during Archaeological excavations throughout our History of Archaeology.

Dr.P. E. P. Deraniyagala excavated parts of 36 individual human skeletons, from a limestone stratum at a site:  BellanbandiPelessa found inside Udawalawa forest, in 1956, and from a sampleof it, a reconstructed human skull (parts missing),and a complete human mandible (lower jaw) were, declared to be 12,000 years old on dating.Skeletal remnants excavated from Kuragala were confirmed,by dating, to belong to a human that lived 10,000 years ago. Two human skeletons were unearthed from a cave close to Sigiriyain 1989, were verified to belong to 3913-3723 BC, by One Zigma (C 14) dating. This 5900 odd years old human skeleton was found folded at the pelvis and knees.Out of nine skeletons excavated from Pallemalala, in Hambantota, eight specimens were found bi-folded, in the same way. This folding ritual of dead bodies was practiced in many cultures throughout the world, including China. The folding indicates that after death, the bodies had been subjected some sort of traditional ritual before beingburied.

Continuity of Homo sapiens from 125,000 years to 3830 years(From dating of human skeletons excavated)

                                Site                                                                                                                Age (Years)

                      Patirajawela (Hambantota)                                                                           125,000 BP (OSL)

                      Bundala Sand Dunes (Hambantota)                                                            74,000 BP (TL)

                      Fahiyangala (Kalutara)                                                                                       41,600 BP (14 C)

                      Kitulgala (Kegalla)                                                                                                28,000 BP (14 C)

                      Batadombalena (Rathnapura)                                                                     28,500 BP (14 C)

                      Attangoda (Kegalla)                                                                                           10,350 BP (14 C)

                      Mahiyangana (Rathnapura)                                                                              7,900 BP (14 C)

                      Matota (Mannar)                                                                                                  3,830BP (14 C)

(OSL)= Optically Stimulated Logging Sense; (TL) = Thermo Luminescence;  (14 C) = Carbon 14 Dating.

The above data clearly demonstrate that the human being that migrated to Sri Lanka 125,000 years ago after leaving Africa  25,000 years earlier (150,000B C), continued to inhabit Sri Lanka, and proceeded to live thereafter too. These dating results have been generated by distinct, reputed, commercial International Dating Laboratories charging a very high cost for each dating. They are not our own fabrications and therefore nobody can refute or contest them, and they were not results of excavations done according to chronological order. We need not reject the written History of 2500 years taught to us. This History found by research should be balanced with the written History. Evidence of Human Evolution and Continuity is rare even among the International Anthropological Research. Continuity of Sri Lankan colonization is established by scientific evidence that cannot be refuted. In the written History we were taught that,“Vijaya brought the alphabet, paddy culture, iron, horse to this country, and He established our culture and took the county and society forward. We are incapable of doing anything and outsiders arrived and made us capable”. This is what is inculcated into our brains. There was no way to learn our indigenous technologies. Our History is hidden from us to prevent our way forward.

In a limestone cave discovered in the thick jungle at Haldummulla, a grinding stone, some threshing stones, a fire-lighting stone, stone implements, and pieces of hand-made, sun-dried clay pottery were excavated. They were dated 6000 years old. This suggests that humans of that time collected grains: wild “grasses”; threshed and ground them to prepare food for consumption. Probably thesun-dried clay pottery (which would not hold liquids) could have been used to store the dry wild grainscollected by them.

Excavations of Lunugalge found 23 miles away from Balangoda, has recorded 23 varieties of charred seeds of floral origin which were dated 5300 years old. One is Dikkekuna; Carneriumzeylanicum, the medicinal uses, Botany, chemical constituents and pharmacological actions of which have been reviewed. Pharmacological actions of Carneriumzeylanicum, include, being antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective.  The seed contains Omega Oils, and it is a very nutritious nut. (The nut had been used to light torches at night in the old days because of the oil it contains).In another excavation grains dated 5000 years old have been discovered. Amongst them are wild paddy seeds of: Orizarucifogan. What we consume today is Oriza sativa indica. Paddy variety Orizagranulatais endemic to Sri Lanka. Genetic Research Institute of Sri Lanka at Gannoruwa has a gene collection (Bank) which boasts 3000 indigenous paddy varieties which are suitable for growing in different climatic and environmental conditions of the country. This is a good reply to those who profess Vijaya brought paddy culture to Sri Lanka. We are a nation possessing 3000 indigenous paddy varieties, yet is waiting with outstretched palms until ships carrying paddy arrive from abroad.What a pathetic story?

The above evidence suggests that human of Sri Lanka that lived 6000 years ago leading a hunters life transformed into an agriculture based life pattern. The seeds and grains they consumed 5000 years ago, have been classified to belong to Families: Cucurbitaceae (Pumpkin, Cucumber, Bitter guard family), Fabiaceae (Thora family), Burceraceae, and Pocaceae (Paddy family). A soil sample (core sample) obtained by drilling earth to a depth of 20 feet at Horton Planes by one of our Scientists recovered a fossilized Pollen of diameter 10 Micrometers (µ), identified by Palinologyto belong to a domesticated Aveno. Species (Oats) Radiometrically dated to 17,500 cal BP. He further recovered fossilizedPollen of a Barley plant.The climatic condition of Horton Planes is similar to the European Winter climate. This suggests that perhaps the ancient humans of this country cultivated Oats and Barley on this soilsome 17,500 years ago.

At Uda Ranchamadama a village in Embilipitiya, the ground of a remote school was excavated where a 3150 years old cemetery was uncovered. It contained chambers made of clay, inside which there were pits with charcoal, where clay pots containing human remains had been deposited. The bones of humans buried elsewhere,after death, had been exhumed and burned in this cemeteryand put to rest as a last religious ritual. The old settlement of the people who used this cemetery was located in a hilly forest covered area close by. On excavation of a location where clay pottery pieces were strewn, the foundation of an ancient house oriented in front-North/rear-South direction, was unearthed, that has been dated 3075 years old. The floor was in two levels and had numerous holes dug systematically, visualized tohold door-posts and wall-posts, representing foundations of present day primitive village houses (Warichchi), the living area at lower level and kitchen at higher level. It could be postulated that North/South orientation of buildings and houses by Architects of modern day in their building plans probably evolved from this knowledge.

A painted clay pot reconstructed from discovered pieces found to be 3150 years old by dating, exhibits symmetry meaning it had been manufactured using a Potter’s Wheel, and painted with a paint made of Gurugal while the wheel was being rotated. The Water Absorption Ratio(Dry Mass Vs. Wet Mass) of this artifact was found to be Zero, meaning it absorbed no water during saturation period of the test, and it’s clay composition was so pure and free of impurities, and had been mixed so finely and compactedperfectly, resulting in no air spaces between clay particles. That is this clay pot had been manufactured in accordance with the Modern Water-proof   Porcelain Technology. Porcelain-ware has a Water Absorption Ratio of Zero.

Dr. Jill Julef of Germany during her Sri Lankan visit examined the Wind Power of Balangoda, (Haldummulla) in early Iron production in the country (Serendib Steel). Her team repaired an old clay Oven that had been erected on a hill-top in the area, facing the direction of the Monsoon Winds, which was of a simple, unique, special design; assembled the raw materials required: paddy husk,Hey, dried “Yakada Maran” (=Iron Killer) plants and local Iron Ore. The raw materials were packed in the elongated Oven cavity in a systematic order in several layers based on the knowledge gathered from the locals who knew it from folk-lore, and lit the furnace from below. The very strong Balangoda wind blowing during Monsoon accelerated the fire of the Oven and by using Electronic Gauges (Thermocouples) they determined the temperature which increased gradually above 1000 ^OC, and higher heading for 1500 ^OC the temperature required to melt Iron Ore. This is proof that Iron Smelting Technology (Foundry) was available in ancient Sri Lanka.

Agricultural Researcher and Environmentalist ThilakKandegama, in his TV documentaries, emphasizes that an old national clan YAKKA were humans who melted iron and lived in the hill country  of Sri Lanka (Haldummulla).

ThilakKandegamaIllustrates that many words and phrases of Yakka Language are embedded in the Sinhala spoken Vernacular.Terms: Intheru(=essentially/ mandatorily), Habas/Habak(=shorten), Kambas(=assassinate), Kanduranchi/Kandura(=waterfalls), AdhiYakka(= Yaksha Chiefs, Adhyaksha= Directors), ItiGediya(=Head), SeppadaVijja(Meaning science of application of Solar MicroWave power),are heard in it’s use. PadiHabak(Meaning peoples’ life-span would shorten). KadhuranchiMaruda (Meaning Water falls would dry-up).  VarigabadaAkanasiMakawesi(Meaning the Kinfolk (Varige) would be destroyed by betrayal).Paddura(=sexual offenses).  Akadawari(=punishment).

Yakkas were an ancient human clan that lived in Sri Lanka from some 5000 -10,000m years ago. Presence of many terms and phrases of Yakka language 45000 or more years ago and thereafter (later appearing in Sinhala language-a living language) and existence of Yakka language at the time of arrival of Vijaya,cannot be refuted.

As ThilakKandegama acknowledges the more acceptable and logical view that the fourold national clansYAKKA(that were humans who melted iron and lived in the hill country), NAGA (Entrepreneurs, who lived close to the sea), RAKSHA(People who saved life (body): farmers living in plains) and DEWA (People that taught various disciplines of knowledge, but, each group excelled only in one), all of whom were different groups of HELA; when taken together became SIWHELA(=SINHALA). There happened to be a very sophisticated and an advanced culture and society during YAKKASupreme LeaderRANABA or RAWULRAWANA’s time.

They had a spoken and written language (WargaPurnikawa), Law, Technology, Indigenous Medicine, Aircraft Science, Architecture, Astrology, Music (Dancing and Singing), War-fare strategy and Martial Arts etc., etc.. “WimanaShashtra” a book discovered from Bangalore in 1923, and “WaimanakaShashtraya” a book China acquired from Tibet in 1967,arethe only two ancient books on Air planes known up to date. No record or report is available from any other country about aircrafts other than “Dandumonaraya”: tales about which are abound in Sri Lankan folk-lore, and “PushpakaYanaya” cited inRamayana, both of whichrefer to the same Aircraft of Rawana. It is history that America built an aircraft, based on the specifications found in the book “WimanaShashtra”, which is triangular in shape and named TR3B, was successfully air-lifted (taken off and flown) as revealed at 1998 UFO Conference. It is said to be the fastest aircraft of America. That technology originated in Sri Lanka long time ago, but the technology is no longer in our possession. (Based on a TV presentation of Dr. SooryaGunasekara, Retired Senior Administrative Officer, former Additional Secretary Department of Cultural Affairs, eminent Author and eminent lecturer)

With all this evidence are we still going to be blind and deaf to accept that Vijaya brought everything 2500 years ago and initiated Sri Lankan society, culture and government? It is time to wake up from deep slumber and move forward as an independent, free, and dignified nation and stand courageously on our own feet.